ATC and Young Vic Present LIVING WITH THE LIGHTS ON

Mark Lockyer's critically acclaimed Living with the Lights On returns to the Young Vic this December following sell-out run earlier this year.

It's 1995. Mark Lockyer is in Stratford Upon Avon, having been offered a job by Adrian Noble Artistic Director of The Royal Shakespeare Company to play Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. On a sunny afternoon he has nothing to do so decides to get out of town and go for a walk along the bank of the river Avon. An encounter along the way changes things profoundly and forever. From that point, Mark starts to lose control of his life as he abandons a promising career and embarks on a journey along a pathway to hell.

This is Mark's story - A terrifying roller coaster ride that takes him through the medical and criminal justice systems, through prison and hospital and on towards eventual recovery. This is a gripping tale of a life lived at The Edge, a personal memoir as moving as it is funny, as brutal as it is true.

Mark is testament to the fact that mental illness can happen to anyone, that the bipolar mind is not a deficient one and that, with the right treatment there can be a life beyond it.

Mark Lockyer trained at RADA. His career spans three decades and includes leading roles at The National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Old Vic, The Young Vic and The Royal Court working with likes of Ken Campbell, Mark Rylance and Sam Mendes. This Summer Mark returned to the RSC to take the role of Subtle in Polly Findlay's production of Ben Johnson's The Alchemist. He was last seen with Actors Touring Company in Martyr by Marius von Mayenburg directed by Ramin Gray and co-produced with The Unicorn.

'Mark is one of the most compelling, extraordinary and fearless artists I've had the pleasure to work with. This show is a remarkable tour de force.'
Rufus Norris, Artistic Director of the National Theatre

Actors Touring Company (ATC) makes international, Contemporary Theatre that travels. We create shows with a global perspective: activating and entertaining the audience whilst asking questions of the world around us. Placing the actor at the heart of our work, and employing a lean aesthetic which promotes environmental sustainability, the company have toured the UK and internationally since we were founded in 1980, reaching audiences far and wide.

ATC's co-production of The Suppliant Women received universal critical praise when it opened at The Royal Lyceum Theatre earlier this month. Adapted by David Greig from the Aeschylus work and directed by Ramin Gray with music by John Browne The Suppliant Women brought together the team behind ATC's The Events, which has toured extensively in the UK, the US and internationally, and has enjoyed revivals in Denmark, France and Australia. Other recent work by the company includes The Golden Dragon by Roland Schimmelfennig (Traverse & UK tour) and Martyr by Marius Von Mayerburg (coproduction with Unicorn Theatre and UK touring) - both also directed by Ramin Gray. Future productions include; Winter Solstice by Roland Schimmelfennig in coproduction with the Orange Tree Theatre.

ATC and Young Vic
Present

LIVING WITH THE LIGHTS ON

Written and performed by
Mark Lockyer
directed by Ramin Gray

Bike Shed Theatre - Exeter November 29 to December 3
7.30pm
Tickets
£12 (£10)
2 for 1 on Tuesday
Members' rate: £10 (£8)
01392 434169
www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk

Young Vic - The Maria
December 7 to 23
Performances
Monday - Saturday: 7.45pm
Friday & Saturday matinees: 2.45pm
(only on 17 & 23 Dec)
Tickets
Tickets: £20
Previews: (7 & 8 Dec) £10
A limited number of discounts are available for each performance. Early booking is advised.
020 7922 2922
https://youngvic.org

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